Trying to Do it Right—There is much more to doing a blog than writing and taking pictures.  There are ethical decisions to be made regarding sponsors, reader comments, comped services and products, and reviews, among other things.

For example, any time I post an actual review of a spa, and give it a Towel Rating and designate whether it is a Yogini or Martini space, I will pay for my services at the spa (using my locals discount of course) and will go as anonymously as possible. I don’t want there to ever be questions as to whose opinions are being printed.

Eventually I hope to have many, many readers for this blog — not only because I want as many people as possible to be exposed to the information, but because I also hope to have sponsors who want to purchase ad space (all current advertisers are my friends and have been given complementary ads). So, in light of the above commitment, no spa, product manufacturer or service provider will be officially reviewed while they are sponsors of On the Steamy Side (or OSS as I fondly think of it).

Another commitment is to always talk from personal experience if possible. One of the future posts I’m working on covers far infared therapy. That post will be written from personal experience and will include interviews with technicians offering the service, and interviews with one or more physicians as to the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. However, there are many things I need to include  because they’re of current interest, that I”m probably not going to want to experience personally — perhaps microdermabrasion, cosmetic surgery, eyelash extensions, or permanent makeup among them. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t find people to interview (or that I won’t change my mind!).

In relation to comped products or services — I will always let you know if a product or service was given to me when it is mentioned in a post.

As to comments for each post. I want this to be an interactive experience and I encourage everyone to share their ideas, experiences and opinions. I am not thin-skinned and look at all personal criticism as an opportunity to grow, learn, and change. However, each comment will be moderated before it becomes public. Those comments will only be deleted based on bad language or any unkindness toward anyone.

When you sign up for my blog, in my world, you are entering in to an important agreement. You agree to receive an announcement of each post; I agree to write posts and send you notices AND I agree to not share your information with anyone. That doesn’t mean there won’t be advertising on the website (as mentioned above),  possibly in an email, but no one will be using my contact list but me.

One must have a framework for working within. I will eventually be adding to these commitments as new questions of ethical proportions arise.

The source of all abundance is not outside you. It is part of who you are.
Eckhart Tolle